There are a wide range of toothbrushes out there, but which is the best option for you? Should you choose a manual or electric one? And how often should you clean your teeth?
Choosing the right toothbrush options with all the different brands – sizes, shapes, hard and soft bristles, one’s that have a tongue scraper or not – can be time consuming. But getting the right one often means the difference between a good oral hygiene regime and an ineffective one.
Of course, a good toothbrush is only useful if you use it regularly. You should try to clean your teeth for two minutes at least once a day, whether you are using a manual or an electric toothbrush. Whatever your choice, the brushing technique is just as important as the tool you use.
If you have dental braces, implants or sensitive gums, the brushing regime should be the same irrespective of the style of toothbrush you use.
Manual toothbrushes
If used properly, a manual toothbrush can do just as good a job as an electric one.
A manual toothbrush will easily clean your tongue and inside your cheeks when you are doing your two minute routine brush. It’s one of the main advantages of manual toothbrushes over electric and it’s something many people don’t think about. For good oral hygiene, you need to clean your whole mouth, not just the teeth.
They are also a little more flexible. Electric toothbrushes tend to have very compact bristles whereas manual toothbrushes are easier to manoeuvre around your mouth.
Manual toothbrushes come in a wider range of choices, with soft, medium and hard bristles.
Electric toothbrushes
Many electric toothbrushes now have advanced extras like an automatic timer which ensures you clean your teeth for the right amount of time. Cleaning for a specific period each time helps you to maintain an effective oral hygiene regime.
You don’t need to brush your teeth as hard, the electric toothbrush does all the work for you and a smaller brush head means you can reach those more difficult teeth at the back of your mouth where bits of food can hide and be difficult to dislodge.
It’s always a good idea to spend more on a quality product such as an Oral B power toothbrush rather than a cheap one that won’t do an effective job and offers no real benefits.
Electric toothbrushes are also a good idea if you have restricted movement, for example, due to arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS), because the gadget does all the work and you don’t put undue stress on your wrists and other joints.
Deciding whether to use a manual or a powered toothbrush is one thing, cleaning your teeth properly is another. At Alkali Dental Studios in London, we not only check your teeth but will be able to advise on the pros and cons and which toothbrush types and oral hygiene regime are best for you.
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